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The Singapore Convention on Mediation (Convention) entered into force today, marking a significant development in international commercial dispute resolution. Businesses around the world will now have greater certainty in resolving cross-border disputes through mediation, as the Convention provides a more effective means for mediated outcomes to be enforced.

Together with Philip Jeyaretnam SC, Maxwell Chambers Chairman and Professor Lawrence Boo, Maxwell Chambers and SIMC Board Member, SIMC Chairman George Lim SC shared with Asia-mena Counsel about latest developments in ADR amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

[Choosing a better way to settle disputes]

The Straits Times today reported on the growing importance of mediation as a way to settle business disputes.

Even as Covid-19 continues to upend businesses around the world, more people are considering mediation as a time- and cost-effective means to resolve their differences.

SINGAPORE — The Singapore International Mediation Centre on Wednesday June 17, 2020, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA) – also known as the South China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission – to support business partnerships and projects under the Singapore-China (Shenzhen) Smart City Initiative[1].

[Mediation in the News]

The Business Times today reported on the role of mediation during the Covid-19 pandemic. Key takeaways: Amid looming economic uncertainty, businesses that use efficient and economical means to resolve commercial feuds may be better-placed for the future. A moratorium that allows for the suspension of contractual obligations is useful but does not completely resolve ...

In The Straits Times on 25 May 2020, Mr George Lim SC, Chairman of SIMC, weighs in on why enterprises may face a ‘tsunami of disputes’ during this pandemic. They should consider mediation as first-line treatment and here’s why: The sustained dips in demand, disrupted supply chains and loss of liquidity could lead to disputes over contractual rights in existing business contracts and agreements. In ...

SINGAPORE — The Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) on 18 May 2020, launched the SIMC COVID-19 Protocol to provide businesses with an expedited, economical and effective route to resolve any international commercial disputes during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

In compliance with the Elevated Safe Distancing Measures announced by the Singapore Government on 3 April to control the spread of Covid-19, our physical office will be closed from 7 April to 1 June, 2020 (both dates inclusive).

With the deposit with the Secretary-General on 12 March 2020 of the third instrument of ratification, the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation, also known as the “Singapore Convention on Mediation”, shall enter into force on 12 September 2020.

[Editor’s update: As of September 2020, six countries: Fiji, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Belarus and Ecuador have ratified the Convention]

Singapore and Fiji are the first two countries to deposit their respective instruments of ratification of the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation, known as the Singapore Convention on Mediation (“the ...